Hunter, Shifter's Mate

2

Breaking into the house with a practiced ease the hunters swept through expertly. Just as their imaging equipment had indicated, the ground floor was empty. Converging on the stair well, the group quietly filed down into the large subfloor below. Sweeping out, they split back into their groups, weapons at the ready.

All hell broke loose and  a disharmonious cacophony of screeches, hisses, and shrieks erupted as the hunters began their assault. Wooden stakes wizzed through the air as the hunters, going room to room, fired off rounds at their targets. Emptying his magazine, Chase let his automatic crossbow fall to his side as he drew crossbow pistols in each hand. Ahead of him another hunter had drawn a sword, glistening blade arching beautifully through the air to sever heads from shoulders. Within just a few tense moments the basement grew still. The hunters stepped carefully over the bodies of vampires laying strewn about, observing each one closely to ensure they were dead. Blood splattered the walls and pooled across the floor. Suddenly, Chase heard a small scuffling sound behind him. Leaving the others to finish checking the rooms he turned back to investigate. Cautiously, he rounded the corner. There, heading for the stairs was a petite girl with coppery red hair. She was injured badly. Her fearful demeanor and the way she was making for the stairs (despite the risk of the possibility of sunlight coming in through the windows above) marked her as a newly turned. Chase stood there, staring, his hand raised to aim his weapon. Baring her fangs, the vampire lunged! Thunk! A wooded stake pierced her heart and she fell, dead at his feet. But he had not pulled the trigger.

"You hesitated" came his father's scathing voice from behind him.

Chase said nothing.

"Why?"

"She... she looked like someone I know. It caught me off guard." He reluctantly admitted, not looking back.

"So?? You know how it is Chase. What you must do... Even if it were me, you must never hesitate. Not for one instant. A mistake like that could have cost you your life and the lives of others."

"I know! More than anyone I. Know... and you know that." Chase shot back, turning hotly to face his father.

"I don't know what's gotten into you lately boy, but you can just go home. I don't want you on any more missions until you sort yourself out." His father glowered, stepping in and lowering his voice threateningly.

"I don't need.." Chase began.

"I won't have you endangering any one else." Artemis cut him off.

The two stood glaring at each other for a moment then Chase turned and stormed out. "...or yourself" his father added under his breath to his son's retreating back.

"I'll go talk to him" said Emily, walking up behind Artemis.

"No. Leave him be." He replied. "If we're done down here, help pour the oil so we can burn this place down."

Once safely out in the sunlight Chase put away his weapons. He hated to admit it but his father was right. He needed to sort some things out. He could no longer hunt without conscience as he had before but he could not afford to hesitate in the field either.

Flipping open his phone he decided to make a couple of calls. "Hello," it was answered after the first ring.

"Yes," he replied "I'd like to book a room starting tonight."

"Alright. For how long sir?" Came the voice on the other end.

"Indefinitely".

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